Truck Companies and Carpal Tunnel

[billbeau]

I have been out of trucking for a little over a year due to a stomach ulcer i got driving local in the SF bay area. I was driving for Interstate. I tried working a few non driving jobs but my carpal tunnel disability prevents me from performing some of the tasks involved with those jobs.

I have had surgery on both hands and when I was driving a truck the only problems i had was hand unloading and or loading. I also had problems with putting on chains.

I have no issues with just driving!

Now that my ulcer is all gone im thinking of getting back into driving.

Are there any companies that make allowances for disabilities such as 100% no touch freight and no forced chaining?

A auto stick works for me also. I loved the autos we had when driving for Interstate

[Sheepdancer]

If I were interviewing you for a job....the first things I would say and ask would be "Nice car, did you build it yourself?" and "If you are so disabled and cant touch a box or chain, how did you use the tools to build that car?"

[Jackrabbit379]

Maybe, he bought it cheap from someone else who built it. :P
I've got carpal tunnel whatchamacallit. I have never had surgery. My mom has been a nurse for over 40 years, and the way I describe it to her, she thinks that I have it. Hands go numb from talking on the phone, or when I have my arms a certain way, etc. I did talk to the hand doctor, and he told me what all takes place after surgery. He told me that, after surgery, I couldnt lift as much as a sheet of paper for about 3 or 4 months. Then, light, light duty for about 6 to 8 months. I was like, :shock: uh, no thanks. :P
I may get surgery sometime in the future. From what mom told me, and the doctor as well, that it will only get worse the older I get.

[billbeau]

Car was built by me. I built it over a period of 3 years before I was diagnosed with CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrom). my hands went numb while working the assembly line at the Toyota plant building cars here in California. I could no longer do the up keep so I sold it I have drivin that car to 8.9 seconds at 165mph in the qtr mile.

I got my class a license through workmans comp. I drove for a couple of years. Allways had problems with hand pain after a unload or load. I had to put on chains a couple of times and that was the worse. Cold and carpal tunnel dont mix. I applied for a local job with Interstate and drove around the bay area. Bay area traffic got the best of me and came down with an ulcer.

Driving wasnt a problem especially with the auto tranny. But still had problems with any type of handling of freight.

My hands have gotten allot worse and have seen a nerologist who tested them and found out i have permanent nerve damage. So now handling of freight is out of the question. Doc says I can drive but no touch frieght.

[Sheepdancer]

I was just messing with ya...
You should be able to find something with all no touch freight. The problem is that with big companys even if they have no touch freight, you will still have to show them you can lift a box in orientation.
Most of my jobs are all no touch....however I always call them 99% no touch. Because you can never tell whats going to happen in the freight business. Example: Our freight is about 80% drop and hook and for the 20% live unload we will always provide a lumper. However if you work here long enough things can happen. Say the lumper has a car wreck on the way to meet you. Well, as a driver you really cant make the customer mad and say "I dont touch freight"....when things like that happen, you are going to be lumpin. Thats where the 1% comes from....things like that.
Good luck....

[groovemachine]

Maybe you could run team for a 'no touch' freight company...on the 1% where you had to touch, just tell your partner you'll buy him a steak dinner if he does all the lumping himself.

I would agree to that if I were him.

[billbeau]

I've run team. I started out running team. Aint happening again. I didnt realize how tired I was untill I ran solo and slept in a non moving truck. We were doing close to 8500 miles per week. We did 8900 one week.

[coastie]

I agree you should not have any problem getting on. As for the test, it will not be that bad. I have Arthritis from the neck down and when I was working, I had no problem.

As for unloading, if driving a Van or Reefer, Lumpers. high cost at some places, but it's a means.

[mike3fan]

the true no touch freight....tanker

[One]

Sounds like you are my doppleganger! I was a mechanic for a while till i got CTS and that ended that thing. I couldnt open a door :x I got into trucking and from what I found is that vibrations really hurt you- like an impact wrench or a steering wheel; or resting your wrist on the shifter...
CTS is one of the MANY health issues drivers have to put up with!
I have learned to live with it, but mine seems not as bad as yours at this point. I can lift heavy weights as I did as a Mover for years despite CTS. I just cant hold things long, so I have to use dollies and such more. Surgery is not the answer for a lot of people like myself, I can keep it in check with chiropractor visits and wrist exercises. A lot of CTS symptoms have to do with neck problems- :idea: :?: You should be able to do a little of everything, but know when you have done too much. A good nights rest after doing your exercises and doing exercises b4 work and whenever you feel tightening in the wrists should help. Also check into joint-friendly nutrition.
I have an Ulcer too, Its getting better through watching what and how much I eat and drink and lots of antacids.
Hope this helps!